Drugs, guns and nice sofas

On millionaires’ row in Herat, elaborate palaces are being built by businessmen who have made fortunes from exploiting the needs of the new Afghanistan – or selling heroin. A heady mix of Iranian, Italian and Gulf influences, the houses have created a new school of design: Narcotecture. But many are worried the ancient city will soon be lost in the blur of development.
Lessons in Diplomacy

Independent from the Soviet Union since 1991, and finally emerging from years of corruption, oil-rich Azerbaijan is now planning a diplomatic campaign to change its image. But to fill its new embassies – 16 so far this year alone – it needs a new generation of officials. Welcome to the ambassador academy.
Missing Persons

Across Europe, villages and towns are being abandoned as people move to the cities – or other richer countries. It is a problem that Spain knows only too well. In its Soria region, there are now 492 empty villages and others that will die with the last residents. Can the country’s ghost towns ever be reborn?
Breaking China

The financial spotlight has been shining bright on China’s big eastern cities, but as investors notice the wealth of opportunity and resources in the remote western region, the city of Urumqi is about to take centre stage.
In the Pink

Pinkberry yoghurt is one of those American franchise ideas – think soup, coffee and juice bars – that seem so obvious, you want to kick yourself for not having bought in at the beginning. The growth of the franchise has been explosive, from one Los Angeles store in January 2005 to 16 today, plus three in New York (five more by the end of summer) and, soon, six in London.
Road Wage

Two-thirds of US freight is moved by road and the haulage industry is booming. While the truckers may not get to see their families as often as they would like, driving is one industry that offers well-paid jobs with great benefits, even if you haven’t got a college education.
Korea Moves

Thanks to its commitment to a lightning-fast wireless future, South Korea has become a laboratory for mixing pop culture with big business, blurring the line between bands and brands. Is this the media model for things to come?
The Inn Crowd

They never make it on to most magazine’s “Best Hotel” lists, but Japan’s simple, pared-down ryokan are setting new standards in service and design. The Fuyija, remodelled by architect Kengo Kuma, looks set to introduce a western audience to the pleasures of the traditional Japanese inn.
Second to none

Once a year, the top watchmakers gather in Basel to reveal their newest creations – and the world comes to buy. Monocle was there to discover the leading trends and take the pulse of the market.

Brands explained / Copenhagen

Sending out an SAS

Briefing

Founded in 1925, Copenhagen Airport – or CPH – is one of the best designed and most efficient in Europe. The airport is the largest in Scandinavia and the hub for carrier SAS. Here, we look at all the companies needed to tend to an aircraft and send it on its way.

Writers: Alicia Kirby,; Liv Lewitschnik

Photography: Thomas Ibsen

The carrier

SAS
The airline celebrated its 60th birthday in 2006 when it also reported revenues of €6.6bn generated from 164 destinations and 1,515 average daily departures on its 301 planes. The HQ is in Stockholm but SAS is a joint venture between Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Lately, SAS has been beset by labour issues.

Airport

Macquarie Bank
First opened in 1925, the airport at Kastrup today serves 132 destinations. The Australian Macquarie Bank is the major shareholder (53.4 per cent) while the Danish government holds 39.2 per cent. Macquarie also has stakes in Sydney, Brussels and Rome airports. A new metro system will link airport and city by October.

Push-back tractor

Kalmar Motor
Founded in 1971, Kalmar produces specialised machinery for the airline and car industries, including the TBL 180 push-back tractor that is pictured here. Mats Petersson has run the company since 1997 from the original offices in Kalmar, southeast Sweden. In 2006 the company had a turnover of €5m.

Navigation services

Navair
Denmark’s Ministry of Transport & Energy runs Navair which provides navigation services to Copenhagen Airport and oversees all the country’s airspace. Navair trains all its air-traffic controllers at the company’s own college; it currently has around 670 staff. In 2006, company turnover was €101m.

Air bridge

ThyssenKrupp AS
ThyssenKrupp Airport Systems is part of the ThyssenKrupp Group AG, a €36bn corporation. ThyssenKrupp AS is a market leader in manufacturing passenger boarding bridges. The bridges have a minimum 20-year lifespan and Thyssen has installed over 2,500 air bridges worldwide.

Caljan Rite-Hite

Luggage belt
Caljan is headquartered in Hasselager, Denmark, and employs 1,300 people at over 100 locations around the globe. It is a market leader in systems for loading and unloading cargo, with a 35 per cent market share. The ground support machinery shown here is no longer in production.

Aeroplane

Airbus Industrie
Thirty-five years ago, Airbus launched with the world’s first wide-body twin-engine passenger jet, the A300, now it has developed the world’s largest jumbo jet the A380. It will carry over 500 passengers. The plane shown here is an Airbus 319. There are 960 Airbus 319 aircraft in service around the globe.

Engine

IAE
Founded in 1983 by engine makers Pratt & Whitney, Rolls-Royce, Japanese Aero Engines Corporation, MTU Aero Engines and FiatAvio, IAE manufactures the V2500, the power behind the Airbus 319. The V2500 boasts class-leading fuel burn, plus the lowest noise, total emissions and operating costs.

Drugs, guns and nice sofas

Lessons in Diplomacy

Missing Persons

Breaking China

In the Pink

Road Wage

Korea Moves

The Inn Crowd

Second to none

Asia Briefing

Africa/Middle East Briefing

Americas briefing

Europe briefing

Oceania briefing

Business Briefing

Sending out an SAS

For the Record

Culture briefing

Architecture/Design Briefing

Fashion Briefing

The Long Game

Top of the flops

Maine Event

Let them eat cake

Home Office

Sets Appeal

Salone Selectives

Cool Operator

Inventory No. 4

Abdel Zaher Binding

Las Mimosas

Heart Food

Expo 04: Invader on the Horizon

Observation

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